When is the 23rd World Cup and when will it be held?
The semi-final matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-off round will be played today. The 16 teams participating in the play-off stage, which will be played as single-match elimination rounds, will compete in four different play-off paths, each containing four teams. The teams in the first and second pots will play their semi-final matches at home. The final matches will be held on March 31st. The 23rd World Cup, organized by FIFA, will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. So, when does the 23rd World Cup start, and what are the dates? Here are the details..
The European play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup kick off today with single-leg semi-final matches. Turkey, which finished second in Group E, faces Romania away. The tournament, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and features an expanded 48-team format.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies today as the European play-off semi-finals get underway. Sixteen nations are competing across four separate play-off paths, each determined by single-leg elimination matches. Teams placed in the first and second pots enjoy home advantage for the semi-finals. Turkey, which secured second place in Group E, will face Romania in what promises to be a decisive encounter.
Türkiye’s path to qualification
Should the national team advance past Romania, they will face the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo fixture in the play-off final scheduled for March 31. That away clash will determine who secures a coveted place in the 23rd edition of football’s premier tournament.
Advertisement
A historic World Cup on the horizon
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a significant milestone as the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, spanning North America from June 11 to July 19. The group stage will consist of twelve groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing alongside the eight best third-placed teams to the round of 32. Host nations Mexico, Canada, and the United States are automatically placed in positions A1, B1, and D1 respectively, with Mexico opening the tournament on June 11.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.